Re-enacting the Battle of Hastings

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England. One-thousand-and sixty-six Saxon and Norman soldiers from re-enactment groups across Europe will aim to faithfully recreate the Battle of Hastings in 1066 which saw the death of King Harold.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups assume the role of Saxon and Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups assume the role of Saxon and Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups assume the role of Saxon and Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups assuming the role of Norman soldiers receive a briefing before the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups assume the role of Saxon and Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups say a prayer at Battle Abbey for the soldiers who died in the Battle of Hastings on the 946th anniversary of the battle on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups, assuming the role of Norman soldiers, rest in their encampment before the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups assume the role of Saxon and Norman soldiers in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

A member of an historical re-enactment group, assuming the role of a Norman soldier, eats in his encampment after the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups, assuming the role of Norman soldiers, depart their encampment to perform the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups practice their fighting before assuming the role of Norman soldiers in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups say a prayer at Battle Abbey for the soldiers who died in the Battle of Hastings on the 946th anniversary of the battle on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

A member of an historical re-enactment group, assuming the role of a Norman soldier, builds a fire in his encampment before the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Clothing worn by members of historical re-enactment groups prior to the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups, assuming the role of Saxon and Norman soldiers, perform the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups say a prayer at Battle Abbey for the soldiers who died in the Battle of Hastings on the 946th anniversary of the battle on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups, assuming the role of Norman soldiers, depart their encampment to perform the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups attach oak leaves to their chainmail as a battle marking prior to the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Members of historical re-enactment groups, assuming the role of Norman soldiers, prepare to depart their encampment to perform the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

A family belonging to an historical re-enactment group walk through Battle Abbey before the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.